Illegal Border Crossing Tour

[Skanky Vamp]

There’s a town in Mexico named El Alberto which is 800 miles south of the US border. You wouldn’t think a town of 3,000 people would attract many visitors but here is where travellers from all over come to participate in a simulated illegal border crossing.

This simulation – called Caminata Nocturna (Night Walk) – happens in the dead of night at the EcoAlberto Park, where people are packed into pickup trucks, run through underground tunnels, brave spiders and snakes, and follow a coyote (the person, not the animal) through the wilderness for seven miles. There’s even a fake border patrol crew ready to catch you. But all of this is nothing compared to what goes on in reality – so thank your lucky stars it’s just a simulation.

Very bizarre, right? The State Government of Hidalgo has accused the EcoAlberto Park of making light of immigrants but the parks’ reps say it’s all to gain awareness of the immigrant’s plight. Pay 250 pesos and you can be the judge of this.

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[GwenRaiden]

What do the 250 pesos go towards?

 

[Skanky Vamp]

What do the 250 pesos go towards?

Towards the tour.. thats how much it costs. 12 euro, 14 dollar.

 

[GwenRaiden]

Towards the tour.. thats how much it costs. 12 euro, 14 dollar.

I just meant, does it go towards a charity of sorts set up to help gain awareness in other ways? Or to struggling immigrant families? I'd prefer to do that than do the tour. Feels a bit backwards.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I just meant, does it go towards a charity of sorts set up to help gain awareness in other ways? Or to struggling immigrant families? I'd prefer to do that than do the tour. Feels a bit backwards.

It's a tourist attraction! It's got nothing to do with charity. It's a 'game' that tourists can play. The money goes to maintaining the 'ride' paying the 'actors' etc.

 

[GwenRaiden]

Cool. Bullshit idea.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Translated from the parks website:

Park EcoAlberto starts a very distinguished service and outstanding national and international level, WALK NIGHT.

THE NIGHT WALK is a totally different and unique concept that includes a mock as a migrant trying to cross the border between Mexico and the United States. Alberto was until recently a remote forgotten community of literacy, which is why over 70% of the community emigrated to the United States for a better future. The Night Walk concept was created with the aim of raising awareness in our young countrymen of the community, showing them not to try to risk their lives seeking "a better life in another country" (live the famous American Dream), projecting a vision and a motivation to face new production projects. The journey begins in the Catholic church of the community in which the group participates in a motivational talk, emphasizing that there is a training activity, and has the inner purpose of creating awareness and a source of employment for our people. During the tour the values of unity, solidarity and reaffirming confidence to believe in themselves and break any shortcut that can obstruct us in the race of life to achieve some purpose or goal pending in the life of each participant is encouraged. The passage of the friendly night integrity making contact with the flora and fauna is induced. At the end of the journey awaits a surprise in honor of our ancestors and people of the community in search of the American dream have advanced their way to eternal life.​

 

[white avenger]

The Night Walk concept was created with the aim of raising awareness in our young countrymen of the community, showing them not to try to risk their lives seeking "a better life in another country" (live the famous American Dream), projecting a vision and a motivation to face new production projects.​

Despite what is presented as an argument against entering the U S illegally, I have no doubt that more than a few potential border crossers see it as practice for the real thing, and a preview of obstacles that they will have to be prepared to deal with, and a perfect place for real "coyotes" to pick up potential customers.

 

[thetopher]

gain awareness of the immigrant’s plight

You mean as they try to enter another country illegally ? Thrill, as I decide to NOT care about their plight.

 

[Silverspike]

Well I do because as the old phrase goes "There for the grace of god go I"

I can only guess to how desperate they must be to attempt something like that.

 

[thetopher]

So I guess if you're desperate enough, you're allowed to do anything then- no matter what the consequences?

The people who help run illegal immigrants across the border also run guns and drugs. So there are other people who suffer because of the desperation of those who would try and circumvent the system already in place.